John 5: The Strangest Gig I've Ever Played | Revolver

John 5: The Strangest Gig I've Ever Played

"It was terrible, freezing and I never wanna think about it again"
john-5-hellfest-2014-rob-fenn-11-crop-2.jpg, Robb Fenn
photograph by Robb Fenn

On July 30th, 1970, Jimi Hendrix played one of the wildest shows of his career: on the lower slope of Maui's Haleakalā volcano. The two-set performance — featuring the Jimi Hendrix Experience unleashing fiery renditions of hits like "Purple Haze," "Foxey Lady" and "Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" — was filmed for the bonkers, and ultimately ill-fated, movie Rainbow Bridge. The story behind his volcanic concert is the subject of a new documentary Music, Money, Madness … Jimi Hendrix in Maui, which arrives alongside the double album Live in Maui.

Just two months after his Maui appearance, on September 18th, Hendrix would tragically die in London of asphyxiation while under the influence of barbiturates. Despite his premature passing, the guitarist's music continues to influence new generations of fans and musicians — everyone from Kirk Hammett and Mark Morton to Zakk Wylde and Lemmy Kilmister have sung his praises.

Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 counts himself among the Hendrix faithful. After having a life-changing epiphany watching Hendrix's Woodstock set, John 5 dedicated his life to learning the guitarist's catalog. In the spirit of Hendrix's crazy Maui gig, we asked John 5 to share the story behind the strangest show he's ever played.

JIMI HENDRIX ONCE GIGGED ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN IN MAUI. WHAT'S THE STRANGEST PLACE YOU'VE EVER DONE A SHOW?
JOHN 5 The strangest place I have ever done a show is a little similar to Jimi Hendrix playing on the side of a mountain in Maui — but my story is not as cool. I played at the bottom of a ski mountain in Vail Colorado, so when people came down the hill they could hear the music. [Laughs] It was terrible, freezing and I never wanna think about it again, thanks. [Laughs]